HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 12, 2010) The Houston Cougars defeated Texas Southern 7-0 Sunday afternoon at Robertson Stadium. The win brings the Cougars record to 4-2-1 with one game remaining before Conference USA action begins.
Houston totaled 43 shots in the game and 22 were on goal for the home side. Five players notched goals and six contributed with an assist.
“We did well with the space that was presented to us,” said head coach Susan Bush, “Sometimes the worry is with too much open space you will play kickball and not play in rhythm but we did well to find our style of play and earn the win.”
Houston peppered the Texas Southern goalie in the first half with 20 shots and 11 on goal.
Sami Sackos received a pass from Morgan Vela and struck a hard ball past the keeper in the 18th minute to give the Cougars the lead.
Despite dominating the rest of the half, the Cougars only found the net once more before intermission when Courtney Peacock and Lauri Byrne worked a give-and-go and Byrne found herself all alone inside the penalty box and blasted the ball home.
“It was frustrating that our shots weren’t going in during the first half but at halftime we regrouped and focused on the details of finishing chances and played a great second half.”
Houston picked up right where they left off after the second half started but the shots began to find their way onto the scoreboard.
Sackos scored her second goal of the game and third of the season in a one-one-one with the goalkeeper after an excellent dummy by Jessica Zavalza froze the defense. Sackos dribbled the ball a few paces before beating the keeper with a hard linedrive in the 56th minute.
In the 59th minute, Kylie Cook connected on a ball 30 yards outside and found the upper netting on an amazing shot for her second goal of the season.
A minute later, Sackos crossed the ball in from the right side and Byrne was able to flick the ball past the keeper with her first touch for her third goal of the season.
Houston opened the lead to five within five minutes of the second half but still poured on the pressure. Cami Koski came on as a substitute for goalkeeper Chelsea Meyers but neither goalie was active during the day as the midfield and defense kept the ball from crossing the midline often.
Natalie Vu scored her second goal of the season from long range after Fabi Cirino stole the ball from TSU defense in the 81st minute and set up Vu’s shot a slow rolling pass. Vu teed up on the shot and struck it past the goal keeper who had little chance to defend it.
A minute later, Vu provided the slow, rolling pass to Kaitlin Thulin who blasted a left-footed shot past the diving keeper for the final goal of the afternoon.
On a hot and sunny day in front of a crowd of 456, Houston was able to empty the bench and played 24 players. It was the fourth shutout win for the Cougars and they now hold a +14 goal differential over their opponents.
“It was a good win and I’ll always be happy with a 7-0 result. We have one more game before conference play begins and we’ll work hard during practice this week.”
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